Rack + Seat Pack?! Tailfin AeroPack Review 

I'm very happy with my Tailfin, but I think the arch length is still a problem. It seems to be ok for some large road bikes with a high top tube, but other than that, the arch seems just too long. This puts the aeropack up higher to the seat, impacting dropper post ability. It also puts the aeropack futher back than it needs to be. Tailfin have so many options for attaching the rack to different bikes, I do think a different length arch should also be one of them. A shorter arch than current, could still be made to fit larger bikes by a longer QR bracket, which already bolts on to the bottom of the arch. My aeropack seat clamp came undone while riding recently and the gravel rash wore a hole in the bag material. I put my aeropack on carefully, but it must have been my mistake. Tailfin helpdesk suggested some Tenacious Tape, and that seemed to work well as a patch. I was quite surprised though that when I repaired this hole, I also noticed a lot of other holes by looking inside the dark bag in a strong light. Clearly I've given it a hard time somehow, despite trying to be careful with it. The aeropack is expensive, but it is very well engineered and manufactured. It just works.

@@PMcKay00 Hi Peter, thanks for your message. Firstly, agree that in time we could launch some different sized arches to give an wider range of compatibility. It’s on the horizon once we’ve launched other upcoming products. I’m sorry - you had an issue you an issue with seatpost clamp. I wonder if maybe the secondary locking mechanism didn’t engage somehow? If you think there are some issues with the bag it’s aged excessively quickly then please get back in touch and mention this comment.

Is it waterproof during a good rainy day or more days please ??

Just bought mine after seeing many Tailfin on Pan Celtic Race in July 23. I’m 100% convinced from my usage so far that this is way better than the Apidura seat post bags I have used for many years. Wish I’d known about it earlier !! The only extra I would like to see is a stiff plastic insert at bottom to the bag (sport kit bags have them) to avoid any potential damage to the bottom of the bag itself. I’ve shown my set up & recommended the Tailfin to 3 riders who have each bought an aeropack ☺️👍🏻

How did you bike across the ocean to get to the UK ?

@@adammackenzie really carefully

Is it waterproof during a good rainy day or more days please ??

Is it waterproof during a good rainy day or more days please ??

Is it waterproof during a good rainy day please ??

@@hakimh4182 Yes, it is completely waterproof. I have never had any issues in the rain.

Thanks for your feedback, lots of folks might find this helpful.

haha I did the exact same thing with my plastic bushings for the same reason.

@@kidShibuya I'm not sure they even sell replacements any longer (and it cost me about $30 NZD to get them sent out here) so we should all look after those rare bits of plastic (maybe I'll add another drop of super glue).

O I forgot I use the paneer bag with vaude laptop insert for my commute. Even in the Dutch rain it keeps it all dry.

​@@robertblacquiere9508thanks, which insert is that?

@@robertwilliammayers It we’re the inserts on the axle clamp. They ensure rock solid mounting.

Is it solid? Not worried about shocks against carbon? Do youbthink aluminium is more solid ? Thanks

Take a look at the Woho stabilizer - it has solved this for me. Plus, 2 water bottle mounts :-)

Did they make an video about Full suspension yet ?

Isn’t the pronghorn a handle bar mount? Apples and oranges

You took the longer extender?

If you buy the Tubus Airy Rack plus a quality bag you are almost at the price of the tailfin system. Sure you could use a dry bag on top of a rack, but its no where near as elegant or convenient as the tailfin system, neither is it as versatile you would need a bike with eyelets. The tailfin can be adapted almost an bike. If you only own one bike a specific solution for that bike is probably better and more cost effective.

@@The2808erik If you own only one bike without eyelits you are right, there has to be a solution but what would I put on such a bike🤔? a special small bag? Panniers? A rack? I would not. Elegance is always a matter of taste, by the way for me the Titan Airy is "purism" and functional beauty. And there is no problem with bags of all kinds, neither with my really old hard back Vaude Waterproofs from 1998 😄(I am so old) nor with softer bags because the Tubus construction supports really really well. A special bag from tailfin or now Panniers on the tailfin? With weight? On long rides over weeks or month? Tailfin specific bags... Who spends so much money could and should ask for more. The tubus airy is really narow and only a drybag on top is not the perfect solution without extra work. I d not know if its called trunkbag, but these are more beautyful and there are different and affordable bags that need a wider platform that the Airy offers, that can be put on with some handyman work. Instead of a drybag I would prefer a large saddlebag...no rack required. If there are no eyelits, I have bikes without eyelits and they are on duty with other, smaller bags. Tailfin solves problems that have never existed at a high pricepoint. 🙋🏼‍♀️Liebe Grüße aber der Tailfin Gepäckträger scheint mir sinnlos zu sein.

@@kaffeemitcola6506 What I mean by elegance and efficiency is the fact you can access the contends of the bag easily during the day and it's easy to pack. A rack with a dry bag is much more faffing around when packing and especially if you need something from the bag during the day. The Tubus airy is nice, but it's only a solution for 1 Bike and decathlon has a 10€ rack with a similar weight if you want to go that route. For me the tailfin is perfect I can swap it to any of my bikes carbon road bike , full suspension mountain bike, hardtail or gravel bike it doesn't matter. This feature alone makes the extra cost worth while. Tailfins panier system is better than Ortlieb or Vaude as well. It does not rattle and is much simpler. Different people require different solutions. I like to get as much riding time out of the day as possible.

@@The2808erik Its Ok that everyone finds her or his solution. When I make a desion to go on a journey I use my bike for journeys and it has a fixed rack and I would not swap it out to a tailfin rack. I am not convinced of that tailfin stuff. The example here might work well compared to a long saddlebag with heavy stuff in it that dangles around. But its a special small bag that needs a special rack. Panniers: I really question if the tailfin system is better than Ortlieb or Vaude bags because they are very universal and addaptable and have a really long lifespan. The small mounting area of the panniers of the tailfin is like a pivot wich always means a high load on material and stress. It has to prove its quality throuout the years and if someone thinks its his part, thats OK. I am pretty sure that riders who go on tours for weeks and months will not use this. And usually carbon stuff disappears after a couple of years by different reasons but that is another topic. A 10Euro Decathlon rack? Are you serious?I think bike parts should last as long as possible.

But racks are not bike packing. I have had panniers on my mountain bike for 35 years :)

@@bindingcurve since when are racks not bikepacking? You can still be light and fast with a basic rack. And still explore the same rugged places.

@@Filte I was being sarcastic. I used to camp off a bike in the 90s " I have had panniers on my mountain bike for 35 years "

@@bindingcurve Just give it eight more months they’ll come full circle to a rear rack with a trunk bag (50 year old man rant over) lol

@@davenardone2048 35 year old man here. I dont get it either. But the ways of consumer capitalism are mysterious to me.

Full sus test coming, I’ll be doing a rack/full sus video soonish.

@@BIKEPACKINGcom I was actually thinking the tailfin rack without the seat pack but with panniers might work better for Full suspension MTB - more clearance when suspension compresses.

@@djl1228 the Aeroe spider rear rack could be a better option for a full sus. Definitely worth a look

@@FatTraction Yes considering the Aeroe Spider as well. Not sure if it can be fitted on carbon seat stays.

Agree! I have an Apidura 17l seatbag and all in-tent stuff is in there (clothes, sleep kit, etc). This way I pack everything up in the tent in the morning / throw the seatbag in the tent in the evening. A detachable bag on the Aerofin would be perfect (but probably more moving parts).

Tailfin has an option where the bag part is detachable.

You just take the whole rack and aeropack off via the quick releases when you want to move it. It's very quick and easy to do and the whole thing folds away to take very minimal space. If you really want to leave the arch on the bike then they make a version where the bag and rack are separate. Personally I'm very happy with my Aeropack.

full use of dropper post travel, stability, and still more carrying capacity.

Yes - all of the above. Plus full dropper range.

Looking for this too. It looks like this won’t work on full squish unless that Mount at the seat post pivots easily, which doesn’t look to be the case.

I have them, but yet to try them. that’s for another review.

Tumbleweed T-rack

No mounts needed for the tailfin.

Rogue panda custom frame bag. roguepanda.com

While some of what you say is true, it’s definitely not lighter, especially when you add the bag, straps, and mounting hardware.

That's actually a lot heavier.

It’s a Kitsbow. www.kitsbow.com/collections/mens-collection/products/escalator-merino-henley?variant=39476734525475

@@BIKEPACKINGcom Thank you so much :>

arch is too tall, it's weird using it under the seat.

frame mount only...

Many modern gravel bikes do have front and rear rack mounting points. Check the Niner RLT 9 RDO for one example.

Are you using an aero pack with a dropper?

@@BIKEPACKINGcom no dropper. I have the bag separate from the rack. I did it up tightly to begin with and had it fail once, but ever since I make a point of just doing it up lightly. Just enough to keep it clipped securely but doesn't need to be tight.

Having just ridden 550km on extremely rough trails with a tailfin set up, I’d never swap it out for a conventional rack for this kind of riding again. It’s so rock solid and easy to access and fit to the bike, whereas racks always seem to have sway and more bulk. It’s really decent.

totally agree. also will be lighter (my rear rack ~600g, dry bag ~300g) total 900g.

@@vyusseem The heaviest aeropack is the aluminum with pannier mounts and it comes in at 908g.

Exactly my thought.

Why is this upvoted? Its nonsense. The tailfin bad is mechanically connected, its solid and going nowhere. I take long trips around Japan and there is no way I would have anything other than my tailfin. Straps? Zero chance.

Are you asking a question or are you upset about something?

You’re not convinced, noted. I would say half are, half are not…